7/31/18 - HOLYOKE - Lawyer John J. Ferriter represents RISE Holdings Inc., formerly GTI Massachusetts NP Corp., in a special permit meeting about the medical marijuana company held by the Holyoke, Massachusetts City Council Ordinance Committee at City Hall Tuesday, July 31, 2018. (MIKE PLAISANCE / THE REPUBLICAN)

HOLYOKE -- A medical marijuana company operating at 28 Appleton St. received a favorable recommendation Tuesday in its bid for permission to add cultivation of plants for recreational marijuana sales.

The City Council Ordinance Committee voted 5-0 to recommend that the full City Council Aug. 7 amend the special permit of GTI Massachusetts NP Corp. -- now called RISE Holdings Inc. --- to allow for the addition on the premises of recreational marijuana cultivation.

The Ordinance Committee also is scheduled to consider issues related to four other proposed marijuana facilities: Canna Provisions, which would be at 380R Dwight St.; East Coast Pharms, which would be at 630 Beaulieu St.; Holyoke Gardens LLC, which would be at 5 Appleton St.; and Hothouse Holyoke, which would be at 5B Appleton St.

The RISE proposal is for growing recreational product on the site for sale at dispensaries at other locations, not for selling it there. Cultivation for medical and recreational products must have separate permits.

GTI spent $8 million renovating and preparing to occupy the 28 Appleton St. site. RISE officials also have discussed seeking a special permit to open a recreational marijuana dispensary here.

The name change to RISE Holdings from GTI was done for brand continuity across the company's fleet of locations, officials have said.

The Ordinance Committee's recommendation came with amendments proposed by committee member David K. Bartley and adopted by a majority of the board. The amendments were intended to ensure payment of property taxes and hiring of Holyokers for jobs at the location.

Check back with The Republican and MassLive.com for more coverage of the marijuana proposals before the Holyoke City Council Ordinance Committee.